Extension leaf table



Sept. 8, 1942.

w. D. TEAGUE, JR 2,295,094

EXTENSION LEAF TABLE Filed Oct. 9, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 cm .9 LL

f INVENTOR WALTER DORWIN queue JR. BY

. ATTORNEY-S Sept 1942- v w. D. TEAGUE, JR I I 2,295,094

EXTENSION LEAF TABLE I Filed Oct. 9, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR .BY A

' ATTORNEYS 'WALTER DORWIN TEAGUEJR/ w. D. TEAGUE, JR 2,295,094

Sept. 8, 1942.

' EXTENSION LEAF TABLE 5 Sheets-Shet 3 Filed Oct. 9, 1940 .1 III INVENTOR WALTER DORWIN TEAGUE JR ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 8, 1942 EXTENSION LEAF TABLE Walter Dorwin Teague, Jr., Douglaston, N. Y., as-

signor to The Enamel Products (10., Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application October 9, 1940, Serial No. 360,348

Claims. (Cl. 311-62) leaves) is pivotally, such as hingedly, mounted on the table body and is movable thereon between an extended horizontal position in alignment with the table top and a contracted position folded under the table body. The construction and arrangement is such that the table body (such as the side and end rails) is arranged or sandwiched between the table top and the extension leaf when the leaf is in its folded-under contracted position. When the leaf is in this contracted position, it lies in a plane spaced below and preferably parallel to the plane of the table top, and is made to substantially conform in area and contour to the overlying table top.

It results from this novel arrangement of the parts that the operation of the extension leaf table is rendered convenient and facile, and that a new ornamental table design is produced. In operation, the inside edge of the leaf in contracted position is readily accessible for leaf 1 movement, the leaf is quickly movable from this position to its extended position by a simple lifting operation, it is readily supportable in its extended position, it is returnable by a simple drop movement to its folded-under or contracted position, and when in this folded-under position, it occupies an out of the way location. The extension leaf and the table top positioned in spaced preferably horizontal planes (when the extension leaf is in contracted position) and the table body arranged or sandwiched therebetween, yields a new and attractive architectural table design, the ornamental efiect of which may be enhanced by imparting blending architectural lines and contrasting surface effects to these parts.

In carrying outthese structural principles, and more particularly to permit the extension leaf (substantially conforming in area and contour to the corresponding part of the table top) to fold under the table body, it is requisite that the table body over the length of the extension leaf be unobstructedly free of the supporting legs for the table. The supporting table legs are,

therefore, afiixed to the exterior faces of the table body along sides thereof which are at right angles to the extension leaf side of the table. This positioning of the table legs with respect to the other table parts imparts to the table a novel leg support design which adds to the attractiveness of the table as a whole.

To the accomplishment of all of the aforestated objects and to such other objects as may hereinafter appear, the present invention resides in the novel structural principles of the extension leaf table as herein described and sought to be defined in the appended claims.

In the appended drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the table of the present invention with parts shown in section;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the same with parts shown in section;

Fig. 3 is a top elevational view of the same with a part of the table top and the extension leaves removed;

Figs. 4 to 6 are fragmentary views taken on an enlarged scale with parts shown in section, of the essential features of the construction of the table leaf, these figures depicting in sequence structural and functional characteristics of operation of the extension leaf;

Figs. 7 and 8 are views of a link bracket adjusting means associated with the extension leaf;

Figs. 9 and 10 are views of the link bracket and the means employed for supporting and guiding the same, Fig. 10 being a view taken in the plane of the line IEI-IO of Fig. 5;

Fig, 11 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the table with the leaf shown in extended position;

Fig. 12 is a view taken on an enlarged scale of the table parts similar to the view of Fig. 4, but taken in cross-section in a different plane such as the plane of the line l2|2 of Fig. 11; and

Fig. 13 is a view corresponding to that of Fig. 12, with the extension leaf shown in extended instead of contracted position.

Referring now more in detail to the drawings and having reference first to Figs. 1 to 6 thereof, the essential elements of the table of the present invention is shown to comprise a table body B, a table top T on said body, one or more extension leaves L, L, pivotally mounted on said table body and movable thereon between an extended horizontal position in alignment with the table top as shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings, and a contracted horizontal position folded under the table body as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4 of the drawings, these table parts being supported by a plurality of table legs I, I. The extension leaf or leaves may be located either at the table ends or the table sides; in the construction exemplified in the drawings, two table leaves are provided at the opposite sides of the table. As shown particularly in Figs. 4 to 6 of the drawings, the extension leaf L (or each of them) is hingedly mounted on the table body B substantially midway of the height of the table body, so that the table leaf is movable between its horizontal position in alignment with the table top and a horizontal position folded under the table body, the construction being such that the table body B is arranged or sandwiched between the table top T and the extension leaves L, L when the latter are in their contracted position.

The architectural effect resulting from this construction may be seen by reference to Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawings. The leaves L, L when in their contracted positions lie in a plane spaced below and parallel to the plane of the table top, and these leaves are made to conform in area and contour to the overlying table top. The table top T also conforms in area to that of the table body B. Therefore, the edge faces of said table top are flush with the exterior faces of said body B and the edge faces of the leaves L, L when in contracted position are also flush with the exterior faces of said body B. The table top and the leaves are preferably constructed with an enameled or porcelain metal sheeting as shown in the drawings, and the body B is preferably made of Wood. The spaced and alternating arrangement of table top, body and leaves as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the conforming of the overlying areas of these parts, the conforming of the contours of the table top and the table leaves, and the different surface ornamentation and coloring which may be imparted to the Wood table body B and the porcelain lined table top and leaves, produce a highly attractive and novel architectural table structure and design.

The leg arrangement and design as shown in these Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawings also adds to the new architectural impulse produced. Since the extension leaves L, L conform in area and contour to the corresponding parts of the table top, it is requisite, in order to permit these leaves to fold under the table body B, that the table body over the length thereof be unobstructedly free of the supporting legs I, l of the table. The supporting legs I, I are, therefore, fixed to the exterior faces of the table body B along its other two sides, that is, the sides (or ends) at right angles to the extension leaf sides of the table. This positioning of the table legs imparts to the table a novel leg support design which adds to the attractiveness of the table as a whole.

Structurally, the body B may be made in any approved way and comprises the end rails 29 and 2| and the side rails 22 and '23 suitably joined thereto, these parts being braced together by suitable corner braces such as 2 25. The legs I, l are secured, as shown, to the exterior faces of the rails 29 and 2| by means of any suitable securing elements such as 25, 25 (see Figs. 2 and 3). It is to the rails 22 and 23 that the extension leaves L, L are pivotally attached. The table top T is suitably secured on the table body B and the said table top, when made in the form of a so-called procelain or enameled top, comprises the usual filler frame 23 and an enamel coated sheet metal lining 2'1 thereon. The edge faces of the table top T lie flush with the exterior faces of the end rails 29 and 2| and the side rails 22 and 23 of the body B, producing an architecturally streamlined table structure.

To carry out the eifect of continuity in the leaves when in contracted position and to make the same to conform in appearance on all sides to the table top, and to thereby bring about a very pleasing and balanced effect, there is preferably attached to each of the end rails and 2| a short blank strip piece p, arranged between the contracted leaves L, L and in contiguous alignment therewith. Fig. 1 of the drawings illustrates the effect of structural continuity produced thereby.

Each extension leaf L comprises, when made in the form of a so-called enamel or porcelain leaf, a filler frame 28 and an enamel coated sheet metal lining 29. To pivotally mount the extension leaf on the table body substantially midway of the height of the rails thereof, each leaf is supplied with two spaced brackets 33, 39, the longitudinal strip 3| of each of which is pivotally mounted by means of a hinge 32 to the side rail (such as 22) of the table body. The hinges 32 are arranged substantially midway of the height of the rails, whereby the extension leaf L is movable between the folded-under contracted position shown in Fig. 4 to the extended position shown in Fig. 6, in the manner illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawings.

This hinged mounting of the table leaf produces a construction which enables convenient and facile operation of the extension leaf. As shown particularly in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the exposed end edges of the leaf when the latter is in contracted position are readily accessible for leaf movement, the leaf being readily movable from its contracted position to its extended position by a simple rotating and lifting-up operation. The leaf is readily supportable in its extended position in a manner to be presently described, and is returnable by a simple drop movement, as is indicated in Fig. 5 of the drawings, to its folded-under or contracted position. As will be seen particularly from Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, when the leaf is in the folded-under position, it occupies an out of the way, yet accessible, location. When in the folded under position the exterior edge faces of the leaves L, L are flush with the exterior faces of the end rails 26 and 2| and the side rails 22 and 23 of the body B, thus completing the architectually streamlined structure and design of the table top T, the body B and the leaves L, .L.

In lieu of providing two spaced brackets 33, a single extended bracket may be employed. The two spaced brackets are used when it is desired to incorporate in the table a side drawer such as d, shown particularly in Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawings. This side drawer is suitably slidable in the customary track rails such as 33, and is provided with the finger knobs 34. The front of the drawer is thus exposed between the spaced brackets 3B, 30, and the drawer may be slid to opened and closed positions when the leaf is in its contracted position, as will be evident upon viewing Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawings.

The novel ornamental design obtained by utilizing these structural principles is shown and claimed in my copending design application, made jointly with Walter Dorwin Teague, now Patent No. Des. 124,567, granted January 7, 1941. The artistic effects produced and the enhancement of these effects obtained by the contrasting surface ornamentation of the parts will be apparent from the disclosures of this design application.

To firmly support the table leaves in their extended positions and to suitably guide the hinged movements thereof, I prefer to provide one or more link brackets for each extension leaf (two being here shown) such as the link brackets 35, 35, each link bracket being provided at one of its ends with a pivotal mounting 35 for fixed attachment to the extension leaf L (to the filler frame thereof) and being provided at its other end with means which cooperates with a support and guide rail 31 suitably attached to the inner frame-work of the body B. The rail 3'! (see particularly Figs. 4 to 6 and 10) is provided with a suitable trackway 38 running the length thereof, and a downwardly inclined forward abutment 39 terminating in a recess 40. The link bracket 35 is provided at its free end with a runner pin 4!, which rides in the trackway 38 of the guide rail (see Fig. and which is engaged by the abutment 39 and seats in the recess 40 of the guide rail (see Fig. 6).

To insure the accurate fitting of the extension leaf brackets and the guide rails, particularly when the leaf is moved to its extended position, the pivotal mounting 35 of the extension leaf bracket is preferably mounted for adjustment on the extension leaf. This adjustable mounting is obtained by the means particularly shown in Figs. 7 and 8' of the drawings, the same comprising a slidable hinge piece 42' and a fixed piece 43 relative to which the hinge piece 42 is slidable. These pieces are provided with the out-turned lugs 44 and 45, lug 45 holding an adjusting screw 46 and lug 44 being adapted to receive the threaded screw 45, whereby rotation of the screw will effect the slidable movement of the hinge piece 42. The fixed piece 43 is secured as shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings, and the hinge piece 42 is provided with the elongated slots 41 to permit of the sliding adjustment. The link bracket 35 is mounted by means of a suitable pin 48 in ears 49 formed in the hinge piece 42. In order to urge the link bracket 35 to its recess seating position (shown in Fig. 6), a spring 50 embracing the hinge pin 48 and anchored as shown in Fig. 8, is provided. Adjustment of the screw 46 will effect the accurate fitting of the extension bracket 35 with respect to the support and guide rail 31.

In the preferred construction, means are also provided for assisting the movement of the leaves both to their contracted and extended positions. This means preferably comprises a pair of torsional springs (for each leaf), one arranged at each leaf bracket 30 and anchored so that it will exert a torsional stress on the extension leaf to urge the same to its contracted position when the same is moved to contracted position, and to its extended position when the same is moved to extended position. These springs are shown in Figs. 12 to 13 of the drawings; and each of these springs comprises a torsional spring element 5| hingedly anchored as at 52 to the table rail 22, and anchored at its other end by means of the securing plate 53 to one of the transverse braces 30 of the bracket 30. The arrangement is such as shown particularly in Figs. 12 and 13 of the drawings, that the torsional stress will be exerted to help lift the extension leaf L to its contracted position as shown in Fig. 12 and to help lift the same to its extended position as shown in Fig. 13. In order to resiliently lock the extension leaf in its contracted position, a spring clasp means is provided, comprising the spring jaw element 54 secured to the table body and the cooperating tongue element 55 secured to the leaf, this being particularly shown in Fig. 12 of the drawings. Preferably a pair of these spring clasps is provided, as shown in Fig. 11 of the drawings.

The construction, mode of operation, and produced results of the extension leaf table of my present invention will in the main be fully apparent from the above detailed description thereof. To move a leaf L to extended position, the exposed inside edge thereof may be grasped by the operator and the leaf rotated and lifted about its hinge 32. When moved to this position, the link brackets 35 come automatically into play to firmly support the leaf in its extended position. To return the leaf to its contracted position, the link brackets 35 are manipulated and the extension leaf is then dropped and rotated to its foldedunder position. In both leaf extended and leaf contracted positions, novel ornamental effects are obtained, the architectural impulse of the assembly being unique and novel.

It will be apparent that while I have shown the preferred construction of the extension leaf table of the present invention, many changes may be made in the structure of the parts and in the specific design imparted thereto, without departing from the spirit of the invention defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. An extension leaf table comprising a table body consisting of side and end rails, supporting legs therefor, a table top on said body, the edge faces of said table top lying flush with the exterior faces of said body side and end rails, and an extension leaf pivotally mounted on one of said side rails and movable thereon between an extended horizontal position in alignment with the table top and a contracted position folded under the table body, the exterior edge faces of said leaf when in contracted position being also flush with the exterior faces of said body side and end rails, the construction being such that the said table body is arranged or sandwiched between the table top and the extension leaf when the leaf is in its contracted position.

2. An extension leaf table comprising a table body consisting of side and end rails or aprons, supporting legs for the body, a table top on said body, the edge faces of said table top lying flush with the exterior faces of said body side and end rails, and an extension leaf hingedly mounted on one of said side rails substantially midway of the height of the said rails and movable thereon between an extended horizontal position in alignment with the table top and a contracted position folded under the table body, the exterior edge faces of said leaf when in contracted position being also flush with the exterior faces of said body side and end rails, the construction being such that the said table body is arranged or sandwiched between the table top and the extension leaf when the leaf is in its contracted position.

3. An extension leaf table comprising a table body consisting of side and end rails, supporting legs therefor, a table top on said body, the edge faces of said table top lying fiush with the exterior faces of said body side and end rails, and extension leaves pivotally mounted on opposite sides of said table body and on said side rails and each movable thereon between an extended horizontal. position in alignment with the table top and a contracted horizontal position folded under the table body, the exterior edge faces of said extension leaves when in contracted position being also flush with the exterior faces of said body side and and rails, the construction. being such that the said table body is arranged or sandwiched between the table top and the extension leaves when the leaves are in their contracted or folded-under position.

4. An extension leaf table comprising a table body, supporting legs therefor, a table top on said body, and an extension leaf pivotally mounted on said table body and movable thereon between an extended position in alignment with the table top and a contracted position folded under the table body, a link bracket for the extension leaf, a pivotal mounting for the outer end of the link bracket adjustable on said extension leaf, and a support and guide rail on said table body for the inner end of said link bracket, the said rail having an abutment for the leaf supporting position of said link bracket and a guide track for the leaf extension movement of the same.

5. An extension leaf table comprising a table body having a set of longitudinal rails and a set of transverse rails, a table top on said body, supporting legs for the table afiixed to the exterior faces of the rails of one of said rail sets leaving the other rail set unobstructedly free, and an extension leaf pivotally mounted on said table body and movable about a rail of said other rail set between an extended position in alignment with the table top and a contracted position folded under the table body, the exterior edge faces of said leaf when in contracted position being flush with the exterior faces of said body side and end rails.

6. An extension leaf table comprising a table body having a set of longitudinal rails and a set of transverse rails, a table top on said body, supporting legs for the table afiixed to the exterior faces of the rails of one of said rail sets leaving the other rail set unobstructedly free, and extension leaves pivotally mounted on the rails of said other rail set and each movable between an extended position in alignment with the table top and a contracted position folded under the table body, the exterior edge faces of said leaf when in contracted position being flush with the exterior faces of said body side and end rails.

'7. An extension leaf table comprising a table body having a set of longitudinal rails and a set of transverse rails, a table top on said body, the edge faces of said table top lying flush with the exterior faces of said body side and end rails, supporting legs for the table aflixed to the exterior faces of the rails of one of said rail sets leaving the other rail set unobstructedly free, and an extension leaf hingedly mounted on said table body and movable about a rail of said other rail set between an extended horizontal position in alignment with the table topand a contracted horizontal position folded under the table body, the exterior edge faces of said leaf when in contracted position being also flush with the exterior faces of said body side and end rails, the construction being such that the said rails are arranged or sandwiched between the table top and the contracted extension leaf.

8. An extension leaf table comprising a table body having a set of longitudinal rails and a set of transverse rails, a table top on said body, the edge faces of said table top lying flush with the exterior faces of said body side and end rails, supporting legs for the table afiixed to the exterior faces of the rails of one of said rail sets leaving the other rail set unobstructedly free, and extension leaves hingedly mounted on the rails of said other rail set, each movable between an extended horizontal position in alignment with the table top and a contracted horizontal position folded under the table body, the exterior edge faces of said extension leaves when in contracted position being also flush with the exterior faces of said body side and end rails, the construction being such that the said rails are arranged or sandwiched between the table top and the contracted extension leaves.

9. An extension leaf table comprising a table body having a set of longitudinal rails and a set of transverse rails, a table top on said body, supporting legs for the table affixed to the exterior faces of the rails of one of said rail sets leaving the other rail set unobstructedly free, an extension leaf pivotally mounted on said table body and movable about a rail of said other rail set between an extended position in alignment with the table top and a contracted position folded under the table body, spring means connecting said extension leaf to said table body and operative for resiliently urging the leaf either to its extended or to its contracted position.

10. An extension leaf table comprising a table body, supporting legs therefor, a table top on said body, and an extension leaf hingedly mounted on said table body and movable thereon between an extended position in alignment with the table top and a contracted position folded under the table body, and spring means connecting said extension leaf to said table body and operative for resiliently urging the leaf to its extended position when moved to such position and to its contracted position when moved to such latter position.

WALTER DORWIN TEAGUE, J R. 

